How to check your Virginia tax refund status right now
Virginia's Department of Taxation runs a tool called Where's My Refund that shows you the status of your state income tax refund. You can access it on the Virginia Department of Taxation website by entering your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates every business day and will tell you whether your refund is being processed, approved, or sent out.
If you filed electronically, the tool usually has information within 24 hours of the IRS accepting your federal return. If you mailed a paper return, it takes longer for Virginia to receive and scan it — typically two to three weeks before the tool shows any status at all.
You can also call the Virginia Department of Taxation refund hotline at 804-367-8031 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready when you call.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia's Where's My Refund tool on the Department of Taxation website shows your refund status and updates every business day.
- E-filed returns show up in the tracking tool within 24 hours of IRS acceptance; mailed paper returns take two to three weeks to appear.
- Most Virginia refunds arrive within 21 days of approval, but timing depends on whether you chose direct deposit or a check.
- If your refund is delayed beyond the normal window, contact the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 to find out why.
- Virginia refunds are separate from federal refunds — you track them using different tools and they arrive on different schedules.
How long Virginia refunds actually take
The timeline depends on how you filed and how you want your money. If you e-filed your Virginia return and chose direct deposit, the refund typically arrives within 21 days of the Department of Taxation approving it. If you chose a check by mail, add another 7 to 10 business days for postal delivery.
Paper returns take much longer at the front end. Virginia has to receive your return by mail, open it, scan it, and enter the information into their system — that process alone can take two to three weeks. After that, processing time is the same as e-filed returns: roughly 21 days from approval to your bank account or mailbox.
The busiest filing season is February through April, when the Department of Taxation processes the highest volume. Refunds filed in January or May typically move faster because the workload is lighter.
What to do if your refund is taking longer than expected
If the Where's My Refund tool shows your return is still being processed after 30 days from when you filed, or if it shows "approved" but you haven't received the money after 21 days, contact the Department of Taxation. Call 804-367-8031 or visit their office in person at 600 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Common reasons for delays include math errors on your return, a mismatch between the name on your return and your bank account, missing information like a dependent's Social Security number, or a flag for identity verification. The Department of Taxation will tell you which one applies and what you need to do next.
If you filed jointly and the refund was supposed to go to a joint account that no longer exists, the check will be mailed instead. If your address changed since you filed, the check may be delayed or returned to Virginia. Update your address with the Department of Taxation as soon as possible if this happened.
Direct deposit versus check — which arrives faster
Direct deposit is faster and more reliable. Once Virginia approves your refund, direct deposit typically delivers the money to your bank account within 3 to 5 business days. A check takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail after approval, and that timeline assumes the postal service moves it without delay.
If you chose direct deposit but the money doesn't arrive within a week of approval, check with your bank to make sure the deposit went through. Sometimes a bank rejects a deposit if the account number doesn't match the name on the return, or if the account was closed. Call your bank's customer service line and ask them to search for a pending or rejected ACH deposit from the Virginia Department of Taxation.
If you chose a check and it's been more than two weeks since approval, contact the Department of Taxation. They can issue a replacement check or switch you to direct deposit if you provide banking information.
Differences between your Virginia and federal refunds
Virginia and the IRS process refunds separately on different schedules. Your federal refund may arrive weeks before or after your Virginia refund, even if you filed both at the same time. Track them using two different tools: the IRS Where's My Refund tool for federal, and Virginia's Where's My Refund tool for state.
The IRS typically processes refunds faster than Virginia, especially early in tax season. If you filed electronically with both, your federal refund often arrives first. However, if the IRS flags your return for review or verification, your federal refund will be delayed while Virginia's may still be on schedule.
Some people receive a federal refund but owe Virginia taxes, or vice versa. This happens when your withholding was different for state and federal, or when you had income that only one system counted. Check both refund statuses separately to avoid confusion.
What happens if you haven't received your refund after 60 days
If more than 60 days have passed since you filed and the Where's My Refund tool shows no status, or if it shows "approved" but you still haven't received the money, the Department of Taxation needs to investigate. Call 804-367-8031 and explain the timeline. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready.
The Department of Taxation can check whether your return was received, whether it was processed, and where the refund was sent. If the check was mailed to an old address, they can issue a replacement. If direct deposit failed, they can reissue it or send a check instead.
In rare cases, a refund is held because of a debt — unpaid child support, student loans in default, or taxes owed to another state. The Department of Taxation will tell you if this is the reason and what you need to do to resolve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my Virginia refund status without my Social Security number?
No. The Where's My Refund tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount to pull up your information. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from viewing your refund details. If you don't remember the exact refund amount, call 804-367-8031 and a representative can look it up for you.
Why does the tool say my refund is approved but I haven't received it yet?
"Approved" means Virginia has processed your return and authorized the refund, but it hasn't been sent to your bank or the post office yet. Direct deposits typically take 3 to 5 business days after approval; checks take 7 to 10 business days. If it's been longer, contact the Department of Taxation to confirm the refund was actually sent.
What if I filed my Virginia return but not my federal return?
You can still track your Virginia refund using the state's Where's My Refund tool. Your Virginia refund is independent of your federal return. However, if you owe federal taxes, the IRS can intercept your Virginia refund to pay what you owe, so check your federal status too.
Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit after I've filed?
Not through the Where's My Refund tool. If your refund hasn't been sent yet, call the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 and ask if they can change it to direct deposit. If the check has already been mailed, you'll need to wait for it to arrive, deposit it yourself, or ask the Department of Taxation to issue a replacement via direct deposit.
What if the Where's My Refund tool says there's an error on my return?
The tool will direct you to contact the Department of Taxation with details about the error. Common errors include a wrong Social Security number for a dependent, a math mistake, or missing information. Call 804-367-8031 and they will tell you what needs to be corrected and whether you need to file an amended return or if they can fix it on their end.